80 Influential People of Ugandan Descent Breaking Barriers and Achieving Remarkable Feats in The Diaspora

Up to three million Ugandans could be living in the diaspora, according to figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). These sent home over USD 893 million in 2018, according to a 2019 report done by The New Vision. Away from contributing to the GDP, many people of Ugandan descent are promoting the country through landmark innovations as they contribute to the greater good of the planet.

In this profile, Satisfashion UG shines a spotlight on 80 Ugandans breaking barriers and achieving remarkable feats across the globe in no particular order.

1.     Florence Kasumba

Born 46 years ago in Kampala, Uganda, Kasumba is one of the most recognized actors in Germany. She is best known for her portrayal of Ayo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), as well as the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).

2.     Nancy Kacungira  

Nancy Kacungira is a presenter and reporter working at BBC News where she appears on programmes such as The Daily Global with Nancy Kacungira, The Context, UK-opt outs and the BBC Weekend News. The 36-year-old journalist began her media career as a radio presenter at Power FM, before working with NTV, NBS TV and KTN in Kenya.

3.     David Nyanzi

The British-Ugandan photographer is famous for his unique street style photography, and he’s one of the most sought after photographers during fashion week. He has photographed thousands of celebrities and iconic names in the fashion business.

4.     Daniel Kaluuya

Born 34 years ago in London to Ugandan parents, Daniel Kaluuya is a British actor who  has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. In 2018 Kaluuya portrayed a sociopathic villain in Steve McQueen’s heist film Widows and played T’Challa’s traitorous best friend W’Kabi in Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster superhero movie Black Panther. He then gave a moving performance as one of the title characters in the acclaimed fugitive story Queen & Slim (2019). For his riveting performance in Black Panther and Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), Kaluuya won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor.

5.     Kiara Kabukuru

Alice “Kiara” Kabukuru was a top model throughout the 1990s, walking the runway for designers such as McQueen, Versace, Gucci, and Dior. Kabukuru’s family escaped political unrest in Uganda when she was six years old, and eventually settled in Los Angeles. At the height of her career, she got involved in a debilitating car accident in New York; miraculously, she survived and returned to modeling a decade later while also running a non-profit for women.  

6.     Sabina Ddumba

Born on 23 February 1994 in Fisksätra, Nacka Sweden, Sabina Ddumba’s mother moved back to Uganda when she was eight years old. After listening to traditional Ugandan nursery rhymes and songs, she became interested in melody and phrasing, and started writing songs since she was 10. Ddumba was a backing vocalist on Katy Perry’s song “Walking on Air” in 2013 and has collaborated with artists such as the hip hop band Looptroop Rockers, Mr. Eazi, Lukas Graham, duo Lorentz & Sakarias and Adam Kanyama in 2012. She is signed to Warner Music, released her first single, “Scarred for Life”, in 2014, and her second single, “Effortless” in 2015.

7.     Suzan Mutesi

Originally from Uganda, Mutesi moved to Australia to complete her high school at Delany College, Granville. In 2022, she appeared in The Challenge: Australia, a reality television competition series which was hosted by presenter and sports commentator Brihony Dawson and premiered on Network 10. She has also played as a DJ on a Netflix show Heart Break High. Mutesi can also be seen in the Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

8.     Melissa Nayimuli

Born on 02 January 1996 in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, South Africa to a Ugandan father and a Xhosa mother, Nayimuli is a model best known as a finalist in the 2020 Miss South Africa pageant. The 27-year-old is a film and television producer, who started her career as an intern on The Voice Nigeria. She then worked on SABC 2 music show Stand Up SA and is currently producing Mzansi Magic’s Lenyalo Ha se Papadi. 

9.     Daniel Kasirye

Danny Kasirye is a British photographer and filmmaker based between London and New York. Kasirye has worked with several high-heeled fashion brands including Net-a-porter, Matches Fashion, Elle UK, Wonderland, Nylon, Nylon guys, Models.Com, Refinery 29, ADIDAS, Gant, Rollacoaster, Teeth, Notion Magazine, Harry’s of London, River Island, Jungle, Idol, Edward Sexton, Accesorize, Monsoon.

10. Aamito Lagum

Raised by a single mum in Kampala, where modelling was not considered an all that admirable profession, Aamito Lagum went on to win the first season of Africa’s Next Top Model. This was before she had a flourishing career as a fashion model, working with almost all the top fashion brands in the world thanks to her catlike stare, glowing skin and pillowy lips. Lagum has since dabbled in film, starring in the 2022 fantasy romantic drama Three Thousand Years of Longing.

11. Leslie Nabunya Kasumba

Leslie “Lee” Kasumba  Kasumba is one of Africa’s leading voices in entertainment. Her wide experience in media includes heading South African based music channel, Channel O, working for the BBC and more. She currently hosts ‘The African Whisperer’, an internationally nominated podcast where she tells African stories from a global perspective. Kasumba was born in Cuba and raised in South Africa.

12. Patricia Akello

Patricia Akello, also known as Tricia Akello, is a Ugandan professional model, whose credits include a Fenty Beauty campaign and playing role of muse to famed designers such as Thom Browne.

13. Sheila Atim

A master of stage, small screen and cinema, Sheila Atim’s recent starring roles have been in the television series The Underground Railroad, the award-winning West End play Constellations, and Viola Davis’ epic film The Woman King. In 2021, she starred in Netflix’s successful sports drama Bruised, directed and produced by Halle Berry. She was nominated for the 2023 BAFTA Rising Star Award. Atim was born 1991 in Uganda and moved to the United Kingdom with her mother at the age of five months. 

14. Raymond Malinga

The Ugandan filmmaker produced sci-fi and fantasy short films for the new Disney+ series; ‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire’. The action-packed animated sci-fi anthology presents ten futuristic visions from Africa imagining brave new worlds of advanced technology, aliens, spirits, and monsters. Malinga’s big break was in 2017 when his short animated film “A Kalabanda Ate My Homework” was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival and won six awards, including ‘Best animation film’ at the African International Film Festival in Nigeria the following year. 

15. Kakonge Mukasa

The greatly published 27-year-old London-based model has appeared in campaigns for Jean Paul Gaultier, Topman, Mango, Orlebar Brown, and other top brands.

16. Ms Banks

Born to a Ugandan mother and a Nigerian father, Thyra Kigho Deshaun Oji, better known by her stage name Ms Banks, has released a number of records and her catalogue features notable musical artists such as Stefflon Don, Naira Marley, Tion Wayne, Stormzy, Tinie Tempah, M.O,  Little Mix, Tinashe, among others.

17. Michael B. Serwadda

Michael is the Chief of Staff and Strategy manager at HP (Hewlett-Packard), an American multinational information technology company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, that develops personal computers, printers and related supplies.

18. Jess Whitney Bergman

Jess is a fashion model & blogger based in Singapore. As a fashion model for over a decade, her journey has been filled with experiences that have allowed her to witness the ever-changing landscape of the fashion world.

19. Arif Sempala (Mr Schnack)

Arif Ssempala, known as Mr. Schnack on social media, is a London-based Ugandan model, content creator and fashion influencer who has worked with a number of fashion brands.

20. Stella Olivia Kikoyo

Stella is a London-based marketing professional, lecturer and coach. She is a Chartered Marketer and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) with over 10 years of experience as a lecturer in Marketing and Business Management. She previously worked as a lecturer, trainer and researcher at Makerere University Business School, where she continues to do ad-hoc consultancy work.

21. Doreen Namutebi

Doreen Namutebi is the founder of Plus Size Fashion Festival Africa, Africa’s pioneer event catering to plus-size women. The festival is a celebration of African Womanhood, embracing body positivity whilst inspiring women to thrive physically & mentally.

22. Deejay Era

The London-based DJ has opened for big African stars such as Fireboy, Joeboy, and Asake at grand festivals like Afronation.

23. Ham Serunjogi

Ham Serunjogi is the Co-founder & CEO at Chipper Cash, a fintech platform that offers mobile, cross-border money transfer services. As CEO, Serunjogi heads the executive leadership team and is responsible for leading the company’s overall direction and strategy. He began his career at Meta (formerly Facebook) where he worked at their Dublin office. His roles included building partner relationships with some of Facebook’s biggest UK advertisers.

24. Stone Atwine

Stone is the CEO and co-founder of Eversend, a multi-currency app that enables Africans to conveniently and affordably send, pay and spend globally. With a proven track record in fintech, Stone first gained experience at Payment Solutions International, a Pretoria-based loan management company. Following this, he assumed the role of Country Manager for Kenya. He later offered strategic consultancy to banking institutions including Stanbic Bank, Barclays Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank across Kenya and Uganda, primarily focusing on enhancing loan collections through the use of technology.

25. Joseph Opio

The New York-based comic and satirist has written over 1,100 episodes of ‘The Daily Show’ and has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards. In August 2023, he sold out 15 shows in London where he shared the stage with comedians such as Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock, Trevor Noah, Amy Schumer, and more. His standup has been seen on three different continents — from South Africa through Switzerland to the biggest comedy clubs in New York.

Opio is a qualified lawyer and a certified accountant, who was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda.

26. Marvin (Sukali) Mulinde IV

Mulinde is A British-Ugandan media personality and podcaster, who is one third of the popular podcast ‘In My Opinion’,

27. Ishaq Kayiizi

Ishaq is an award-winning elite fitness coach based in Dubai, whose career began in a local gym in Banda, a Kampala suburb. With over 1,500 hours of private training under his belt and nearly ten years of experience, he is now a prominent fitness instructor, influencer, personal trainer, fitness expert, and model. With a clientele of top sports talents such as Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, FC Twente’s Asedi Anass Salah Eddine, Fulham FC’s Issa Diop, and celebrities such as Charlie Sloth, Cash Papi, Jessica Smith, and more, he’s easily one of the success stories no one is telling you.

28. Ian Sangala

Solomon Ian-Sangala is a London-based digital content creator who has worked with brands such as Adidas, H&M, Mercedes Benz, Versace and many more. He gained fame at age 13 when he founded Attire X, a bespoke clothing supplier. He was born on 16 November 1997, to Ugandan parents.  

29. Eva Apio

Eva Apio is a London-based fashion model, influencer and DJ who started her modelling career at just 13, when she first hit the runway. Although she was consistently knocked back by agencies, on account of her height, her persistence prevailed. She has worked for fashion houses including Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Off-White. She takes after her mother, Eva Mbabazi who was a famous fashion model in Kampala in the early ‘2000s signed to Sylvia Owori’s Zipa Models..

30. Ganda Boys

Ganda Boys formerly Da Twins(z) is a UK-based African fusion band famous for selling Ugandan folk and culture. On Christmas day of 2022, the band released their own rendition of the Buganda Anthem which was recorded with an orchestral arrangement done by the Bogotà Philharmonic Orchestra.

 The band is composed of Ugandan singers Denis Mugagga and Dan Sewagudde , along with UK musician, arranger, record producer, and film composer Pruess.

31. Oliver Nakakande

Oliver Nakakande is a Dubai-based fashion model, actress, beauty queen and philanthropist. She was crowned Miss Uganda in 2019, a title she held for two years due to the Covid pandemic. In 2022, she represented Uganda at the prestigious Miss Grande International in Bali. She currently works internationally as a model, speaker, and recently opened a foundation that supports teenage mothers to go back to school. She is also a published author – her book ‘Escape’ was launched in Kampala in September 2023.

32. Hakim Kay Nsubuga

He is a London-based public speaker, radio host, and interviewer, popular for founding ‘The 256Podcast’, a platform that sheds light on the challenges facing Uganda using a global perceptive.

33. Jose Hendo

José Hendo is a Ugandan-born British eco-sustainable designer who takes a fresh approach to fashion design, challenging the throwaway culture. She promotes the use of organic, eco- textiles and recycled materials to create unique often avant-garde garments and accessories for both women and men. She supports ethical values and the environment. The brand’s style is characterized by its avant-garde garments and its use of barkcloth.

34. Cissy Nansera

Cissy Nansera is a digital nomad and lifestyle blogger. She is also a Yoga practitioner and shares her philosophy and wellness journey via her website and social channels @nanserawellness. She is based in Oslo, Norway.

35. Rachel Bashabe

Rachel Bashabe is the founder of VerylDesigns, a fashion brand that focuses on hand-made designs that have been made and sourced both in the UK and her homeland Uganda. Her vision is to create timeless bold designs and prints that express one’s character. The brand is characterized by its use of fun, classy and colourful prints.

36. Joe Malaika

Joe Malaika is a Ugandan fashion designer based in Boston, USA. He has showcased his work in the US, London, Arab Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. In 2022, he was named ‘Boston’s Best Clothing Designer’ by Boston Magazine. He is also the founder of the Excessive Fashion show, an event whose proceeds go to helping communities affected by cancer.  

37. Carol Azungi Dralega  

Carol is a Ugandan journalist, researcher and Professor, and the Head of Research for the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication at NLA University College in Norway. After her studies, Dralega worked as a Senior Researcher at Western Norway Research Institute. She holds a Doctoral and Master of Philosophy degrees in Media Studies from the Institute for Media and Communication, University of Oslo and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Mass Communication from Makerere University.

38. Noble Okello

Noble Okello Ayo, (born July 20, 2000, is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Canadian team, New England Revolution II in MLS Next Pro. Okello began playing soccer at age six with the North York Hearts SC.

39. Sarah Mulindwa

Sarah Mulindwa is a Ugandan-born, United Kingdom-based media personality, TV host, sexual health educator, podcaster, and qualified nurse. She is best known as the witty and glamorous Nurse Presenter on Channel 4 (UK)’s hit show ‘The Sex Clinic’ where she is part of a team of sexual health experts who cut through Britain’s sex secrets. She not only teaches young people about sex but encourages them to talk about issues around mental health, relationships, identity and body issues. 

40. Priscilla Anyabu

Priscilla Anyabu is a London-based model/operations manager, who took part in the sixth season of Love Island. She has since turned her hand to broadcasting, where she presents for BET, and has enjoyed a successful career as a model, influencer and TV presenter.

41. Mariam Basajja

 Mariam is the CEO and founder of Maritech Business Solution and MB cosmetics Netherlands. She is the daughter of Ugandan businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba, the Chairman Board of Trustees, Kampala International University (KIU). She sits on the Director’s Board of Kampala International University, Tanzania. She also happens to be a member of the African Women in IT group which brings together several African women in business. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Leiden University.

42. Hemdee Kiwanuka

Hemdee Kiwanuka is a film producer and actor. He has produced and acted in movies since 2007, such as The Brothers Grimsby (2016), Army of One (2020) and has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! He was born in 1975 in Kampala to legendary singer Halima Namakula.

43. Simi Moonlight Muhumuza

Born on 3rd July 1995, Simi is an Atlanta-based plus-size model whose full name is Barbara Muhumuza. Her Instagram account goes by the name simimoonlight, where she shares her wellness journey, lifestyle, travel, beauty, fashion and mental health. She is an internet star who has appeared in online magazines and channels such as Vogue, BellaNaija, Wondermind, Afropunk, Refinery29 and lots more.

44. Jessica Nabongo

Jessica Nambowa Damarie Nassaka Nabongo is a travel blogger who gained public attention in 2019 after becoming the first black woman to visit all 195 countries in the world. She is a published writer, photographer, travel expert, entrepreneur, and public speaker. She was born in Detroit, Michigan to Ugandan parents.

45. Nakitende Esther

Nakitende is a renowned and self-made plus-size model and influencer who began her career when she started posting her pictures on her Facebook page and then caught the attention of fashion media and plus-size fashion stores. She uses her platform to empower other black women. She was born in 1981 to Ugandan parents in Mukono before relocating to Toronto, Canada.

46. Denise Dainty

The British-Ugandan model and media personality hosts ‘Rare Talks’, a podcast where she has interviewed the likes of Ms. Banks, Br3nya, Hemah K, etc.

47. Alan Kasujja

Alan Kasujja is a journalist and radio broadcaster working for BBC News as one of the main presenters of Newsday. He began his media career in the 1990s, at Sanyu FM. He previously hosted the morning radio show ‘The Big Breakfast’ on Capital FM Kampala with Jackie Lumbasi and Ramesh Gabalsing, and has presented the Ugandan version of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He is the host of the Africa Daily Podcast, and has moderated high level panels on five continents.

48. Busie Matsiko-Andan

Busie is a serial entrepreneur widely recognized for her impact leadership, she is an award-winning global strategist and Board Trustee who has held positions on Wall Street at Smith Barney, Oppenheimer & Co, and Citibank. She currently advises multilaterals like the African Union, Afreximbank, the Africa Renaissance and Diaspora Network, the Lalela Project, and the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa on private-sector scaling and development. As a global strategist and CEO of Pont Global, Busie has been instrumental in successfully scaling and growing companies and organizations.

49. Beatrace Oola

Beatrace Angut Oola is founder of the international platform Fashion Africa Now and creative agency APYA Productions. She works as a consultant, lecturer, speaker, creative producer, interdisciplinary curator with a focus on socio-political issues through the lens of African fashion.  

50. Mazzi Odu

Mazzi Odu is a writer, editor and cultural consultant based in Lagos, Nigeria. Her work focuses on fashion, design, art and food and the way that cultural identity is informed and evolves. Her written work has been included in a number of international publications such as US Vogue, Elle, Wallpaper and Vanity Fair, exhibitions (Kunstgewerbermusem, Berlin, Barbican Centre, London) and she has also acted as a speaker and moderator at global design focused events including NYC Jewelry Week and Gold West Africa. She has worked as Editor-at-large at Bella Naija Style, one of Africa’s leading digital fashion publications.

Educated in the UK, she is the holder of a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is currently writing a book on Contemporary African Jewelry.

Oddu is a daughter to former Ugandan president Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa.

51. Zaawadi Kalema

Kalema is a stylist and visual artist, the creative director of Haus of Vzn, a creative agency that specializes in the conceptualization and realization of clients’ goals through visual storytelling. He has been featured in Vogue Italia, and on Beyoncé’s website. He is based in Los Angeles, Carlifornia.

He was born and raised in Kenya, but of Ugandan and Ethiopian origin,

52. Mahaneela Choudhury-Reid

Mahaneela Choudhury-Reid is a UK-based director, photographer and the founder of creative content studio, Cozy Global. She was born to Indian-descent parents that lived in Uganda but fled the country during Idi Amin’s regime. He conceived and directed the Conscious Minds-produced series “Come Thru” for Nike, a first-of-its-kind show by and for Black women exploring creativity and entrepreneurialism. The 29-year-old has collaborated with Refinery29, Adidas, the xx, FKA Twigs and Channel 4.

53. Evelyn Karungi

Evelyn Karungi is the co-founder of multiple outlet beauty store “Eve & Nico” with branches across Garden City, Acacia Mall, Sheraton Hotel, New Pioneer Mall. She owns an interior décor and global gifts store in New York. She is also a writer, with published works; Home Grown Love, and Never Too Late To Bloom. She runs a lifestyle blog @breakthroughblg where she documents her many travels.

54. Liz Kakooza

Liz is a  global change-maker and mental health activist. With a decade of experience in communications and policy, she champions youth engagement, mental health advocacy, global health & equity and global governance. She is a catalyst for impactful change, in the field of mental health and overall health equity. Through her work at MindLab, she spearheads initiatives that foster open dialogues, influence policymakers and creates safe spaces for youth to discuss mental health challenges.

55. Hilda Kabushenga

Hilda Kabushenga is a Ugandan executive. She is the CEO at The African Talent Company, leading the teams at Jobberman Nigeria and Ghana + Brighter Monday Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The company tackles Africa’s unemployment challenges by bringing transparency to the labour markets and improving workplace productivity. Previously, she worked as CEO at Jobberman Nigeria.

Until December 2018, she was an Engagement Manager in McKinsey & Company’s Lagos office, serving private and public sector clients primarily on strategy, human capital, talent management, change management and organisational behaviour. Prior to joining McKinsey, she worked as a transfer pricing expert with KPMG East Africa.

56. Hakim Bukenya

Hakim Bukenya is the head of partnerships at TikTok, where he supports brands such as Uber, JustEat & Deliveroo with their marketing campaigns on the platform. He is responsible for helping these food delivery marketplaces succeed on the platform. Prior to joining TikTok, Hakim was at Meta in their Global Business Group supporting brands with their marketing efforts on Facebook.

57. Catherine Byaruhanga

Catherine Byaruhanga is a journalist and presenter working with the BBC. She joined the network in the late 2000s as a producer before being assigned as a field journalist in 2012 to cover African countries including, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, the Central African Republic, and Somalia.

Her journalistic work has involved traversing different parts of the world to report on breaking stories and other important global events such as the immigration crisis in the US, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the recent military coups in West Africa.

In 2023, Byaruhanga started a new job at the network as a presenter and correspondent.

58. Somi (Laura Kabasomi Kakoma)

Laura Kabasomi Kakoma known by her stage name Somi, is a 42-year-old Grammy-nominated American-born singer, songwriter, playwright, and actor of Rwandan and Ugandan descent. Somi is the first African woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award in a Jazz category. In 2013, she signed her first major label deal with Sony Music to become one of the first artists on their re-launched historic jazz imprint Okeh Records.

59. Richard Ntege

Richard Ntege is a multitasking, fashion student who, in his young age, has managed to accumulate quite the resumé. This includes gigs modelling; styling for SVT’s Så ska det låta; a nominee of Finest Awards 2015; a radio correspondent on East FM and an event organizer for Disturbing Stockholm Fashion Show. He has styled runway models at Copenhagen Fashion Week, and owns a jewelry brand called “Siadds Atelier”.

60. Whitney Peak

Whitney Peak, born 28 January 2003, is a Ugandan-born Canadian actress. She starred in the 2021 HBO Max revival of Gossip Girl. Her other work includes the Apple TV+ series Home Before Dark, the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and the Disney+ film Hocus Pocus.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, Peak is the youngest daughter of a Ugandan hairdresser and a Canadian pilot and engineer.

61. Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi is a Ugandan-British novelist and short story writer born and raised in Kampala, Uganda. Her doctoral novel, The Kintu Saga, was shortlisted and won the Kwani? Manuscript Project in 2013. She holds a nomination for Prix Medicis étranger, and an award for Commonwealth Short Story Prize.  

62. Mugabi Byenkya

Mugabi Byenkya is an award-winning writer, poet and occasional rapper. They were born in Nigeria to Ugandan parents and are currently based between Kampala and Toronto. Their essays, poetry and comics have been published in Carte Blanche, Best Canadian Poetry, and Skin Deep, along with over 35 other publications.

63. Unknown T

Daniel Richie Lena (born 17 August 1999), known professionally as Unknown T, is a British rapper. Lena is of Ugandan and Congolese descent. Having big name acts such as WSTRN, NSG, Pa Salieu, FKA Twigs, Jorja Smith on collaborative projects makes him a force to reckon with.

64. Nankya Stella

Stella Nankya is a businesswoman, fashion designer and model. She has found much success as a CEO and founder of Starqt fashion house with head quarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. Stella Nankya started modeling in 2007 in Johannesburg and is currently signed under Australian Moment Models Agency. She was the first woman to represent Uganda at Miss Asia Pacific World Pageant, an international beauty contest held in South Korea.

65. Kibuuka Mukisa

Kibuuka Musika Oscar is a self-taught documentary photographer, artist, enthusiastic hip-hopper, and social worker living in Uganda. His work has a native influence from youth culture. In “Breaking Uganda” he shows bboying / breaking / breakdance of the young people in his home country. He is also a cinematographer, known for his work on The Blind Date, Ubuntu Uppercut, and Kisenge.

Kibuuka Mukisa Oscar is the  co-founder of the Kigali Photo Festival.

66. Stella Atal

Stella Atal is a painter and fashion designer, who is the founder, owner and chief executive of Atal Stella Fashion House, with presence in Paris and Kampala. Her designs have showcased at the Africa Fashion Week New York, in 2010 and at the Green Fashion Switzerland, in 2011. Stella’s work has been featured in two issues of Vogue Italia.

67. Martha Kazungu

Martha Kazungu is a Ugandan curator and art historian. She holds a master of arts in African Verbal and Visual Arts with a focus on curating and media in Africa from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. She currently works at the Markk Museum am Rothenbaum, in Hamburg, Germany. She has served as a curator for a number of exhibitions across Europe.

68. Jesse 10s

Jesse M. Sekatawa is a 27- year-old Ugandan, mononymously known as Jesse10s. He is a songwriter and record producer in Washington, D.C.. His music features a unique blend of; deep melody, groovy Edm, Afrobeats, harmonious voice & inspirational lyrics. He is best known for his singles; your love, Never Let go (feat. Lulu k) & What a Feeling (feat. Cmert Keyz”. Jesse is also known for his humanitarian work through the Sekatawa Foundation.

69. Michael Kiwanuka

Michael Samuel Kiwanuka is a British singer-songwriter and record producer who is signed with Polydor Records. His 2012 debut album, Home Again, went gold in the United Kingdom and his second album, Love & Hate, debuted in 2016 at number one. He has been nominated for numerous honours, including the Brit Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, BBC Music Awards, and The Grammy Awards. In January 2012, he won the BBC’s Sound of 2012; and, in September 2020, he won the Mercury Prize.

Kiwanuka was born and raised in Muswell Hill, London to Ugandan parents who had escaped the Amin regime.

70. Andrew Odong

Andrew Odong is the Creator Communities Lead at YouTube, responsible for implementing strategic initiatives to accelerate the representation of historically marginalised communities. He is based in London, UK.

71. Hamid Ibrahim

Hamid Ibrahim is a creative executive with a strong background in world and Character/creature creation for VFX and animation who has worked at the highest levels of the visual entertainment industry. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kigali Media, and has worked on animation projects with major clients, such as Disney.

72. Christina Matovu

Christina Matovu is a fast-rising singer and songwriter from Uganda based in London. She was a contestant on The Voice in 2015, and has gone on to tour with Burna Boy as a part of his band.

73. Sophia Musoki

Sophia Musoki is a Ugandan food blogger, writer and photographer whose work through A Kitchen in Uganda, which has been instrumental in bringing Ugandan cuisine to the world, has been featured on Cuisine Noir, CNN, City Press and many other publications.

74. Eddie Kagutuzi

Edward Kagutuzi is a UK-based actor and filmmaker. He is known for his roles in The Mirror Boy, Cherry, and Case Closed.

75. Zari Hassan

Zarinah Hassan, best known as Zari the Boss Lady, could be one of the most famous Ugandans on the continent. The Jinja-born entrepreneur, influencer, and philanthropist, stars on Netflix’s Young, Famous, & African, a reality series which follows a group of famed, affluent young media stars in Johannesburg as they build careers, look for love and rekindle old flames.

76. George “The Poet” Mpanga

George Mpanga, better known by his stage name George the Poet, is a Peabody award-winning, British spoken-word artist, poet, rapper, and podcast host with an interest in social and political issues. He has outed popular spoken word projects, and has appeared on award winning projects such as the Burna Boy album – on “Real Life” with Stormzy.

He was born to Ugandan parents on the St Raphael’s Estate in Neasden, north-west London. His paternal grandmother is Ugandan politician and former cabinet minister Joyce Mpanga.

77. Bevis Mugabi

Bevis Kristofer Kizito Mugabi, born 1 May 1995, is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell. He has previously played in the English Football League for Yeovil Town. Born in England, he represents Uganda on the international level. Mugabi was born in Harrow, London, to parents from Kampala, Uganda.

78. AJ Kule Kambere

AJ MegaMan is a world-renowned battler, public speaker, and teacher as well as a founder of the Reality Check Online Program. As a member of Heavy Hittaz, Soulbotics Krew & Creator of Funkanometry and Minibots crew, Aj “MegaMan” Kambere has made a name as a professional dancer and entertainer. He is based in British Columbia, Canada.  

79. Kemiyondo Coutinho

Kemiyondo Coutinho is a Ugandan playwright, actress and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. She started a music platform titled A Ka Dope aimed at giving new Uganda artists an audience. It has since grown into one of the best live bands in Kampala. Her directorial debut short film Kyenvu won Best Narrative Short Film at Pan African Film Festival. She is a previous recipient of the Forbes 30 under 30, and is one of the writers on the critically acclaimed TV show, ‘P-Valley’.

80. Remmy Bahati

Remmy Bahati is a US-based Ugandan journalist whose reporting on Ugandan and African matters has informed policy change. Her career began here in Kampala, at NBS TV, where she worked as a political reporter for 10 years. She holds a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Written and edited by Gydèaon, Isaac Kayondo, and Ramona Kirabo

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